Internal Strife in United Torah Judaism Threatens Right-Wing Bloc's Election Chances
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
An internal conflict within the United Torah Judaism party is threatening the right-wing bloc's election chances by potentially costing them crucial mandates. The dispute involves the Gur Hasidic sect losing its historical dominance in party decision-making, alongside challenges from new Haredi parties. This internal strife could reduce UTJ's seat count, impacting the right-wing bloc's ability to form a majority government. Prime Minister Netanyahu may need to intervene to resolve the crisis.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Internal strife in United Torah Judaism threatens the right-wing bloc's election victory.
- The Gur Hasidic sect lost its historical dominance in the Council of Torah Sages.
- New Haredi parties and the Jerusalem Faction aim to erode UTJ's support.
- UTJ is reportedly fighting to retain its seventh mandate instead of aiming for an eighth.
- The right-wing bloc relies on Haredi mandates to form a majority government.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu may need to intervene to resolve the crisis.
An internal crisis within the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism (UTJ) could significantly harm the right-wing bloc's prospects in the upcoming elections, potentially costing them crucial mandates. The crisis stems from a perceived loss of influence by the Gur Hasidic sect, which historically dominated the party's decision-making body, the Council of Torah Sages. This internal conflict is exacerbated by the emergence of new, modern Haredi parties and the Jerusalem Faction, which aim to attract Haredi voters and potentially lower overall Haredi voter turnout.
The dispute escalated when Netanyahu, in coordination with Degel HaTorah, Shas, and the Belz Hasidic community, effectively dismantled Gur's long-standing hegemony within the Council of Torah Sages. This move, which ended Gur's decades-long role as the primary decision-maker, is seen as more than just a matter of prestige; it represents a struggle for power, funding, institutions, and control over Haredi representation in the Knesset.
Gur is reportedly seeking retribution and is not rushing to reconcile, with its silence being a cause for concern. The party is now reportedly fighting not for an eighth mandate, but for its survival, aiming to retain a seventh. Internal polls indicate a consistent erosion of support, with mandates slipping away.
The implications extend beyond the UTJ itself, impacting the entire right-wing bloc, which relies heavily on Haredi votes. A loss of even one mandate for UTJ, whether due to Gur's non-participation, calls for boycotts from the Jerusalem Faction, or votes being siphoned off by new parties falling below the electoral threshold, directly diminishes the bloc's ability to form a majority government.
Yaakov Asher, the new chairman of Degel HaTorah, is currently attempting to mediate the crisis, but the situation is described as a fundamental crisis of trust, beyond simple political appointments. It is suggested that Netanyahu, who has observed from the sidelines, may need to intervene directly to resolve the issue before it is too late for the bloc.
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